Tractor drive with tire directly driven



Jan. 20, 1953 J. WUBBE TRACTOR DRIVE WITH TIRE DIRECTLY DRIVEN 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 25, 1950 INVENTOR. Zea J. Wubbe BY Jan. 20, 1953 L. J. WUBBE TRACTOR DRIVE WITH TIRE DIRECTLY DRIVEN 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 25. 1950 JNVENTOR. Zea 1706b? BY Jan. 20, 1953 L. J. WUBBE 2,625,002

TRACTOR DRIVE WITH TIRE DIRECTLY DRIVEN Filed May 25, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 IIIIIIIII I '52 m INVENTOR.

79 78 "a Zea Wabbe ATTORNEY Jan. 20, 1953 L. J. WUBBE TRAcToR DRIVE WITH TIRE DIRECTLY DRIVEN I 2 .n a? 22%,

m i n Q Filed May 25, 1950 [:0 J. IVA/Abe ATTOK/Vf) L. J. WUBBE TRACTOR DRIVE WITH TIRE DIRECTLY DRIVEN Jan. 20, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 25, 1950 INVENTOR. Zea d. Wube Patented Jan. 20, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TRACTOR DRIVE WITH TIRE DIRECTLY DRIVEN 14 Claims.

invention relates to automotive vehicles and particularly pertains to a small wheeled, gearless, power driven vehicle having an infinitely variable transmission for effecting graduated forward and reverse speeds.-

Many small automotive vehicles have been heretofore developed such as motor scooters, motorcycles, and bicycles with power units, but thes vehicles are limited to normally carrying one person and involve the essential characteristic of balancing on two wheels which renders them incapable of very slow speed or any reverse motion. Other small automotive vehicles such as small conventional automobiles have been developed which overcome the limitations of the two wheeled vehicles but they involve expensive conventional parts such as motors, transmissions, differentials, bodies, and brakes which render the resultant product excessively costly.

It is, therefore, the primary object of the invention to provide a small automotive vehicle which overcomes the limitations inherent in a two wheeled vehicle and which avoids the use of expensive conventional automotive units.

An object of the invention is to provide a vehicle approximately the length of a bicycle and substantially narrower than the usual small automobile.

An object of th invention is to provide an extremely light vehicle.

An object'of the invention is to provide a vehicle capable of carrying two or more persons.

An object of the invention is to provide an extremely inexpensive stabilized automotive vehicle.

An object of the invention is to provide a small, inexpensive vehicle having a gearless transmission with variable forward and reverse speeds and a neutral position.

An object of the invention is to provide a spherically faced friction drive wheel variably engaging one of the ground wheels of the vehicle to impart motive power to the vehicle.

An object of the invention is to provide means for shifting the spherically faced friction drive wheel relative to the ground wheel to facilitate varying the ratio of the drive between the spherically faced drive wheel and the ground wheel.

An object of the invention is to provide a drive wheel having an independently freely bearinged center or non-driving area for contacting the ground wheel constituting the neutral position between the drive wheel and the ground wheel. 7

An objector the invention is to provide a nonvariable driven wheel and a variable sphericallyfaced' riction drive wheel pivotally mounted on a radius relative to the driver wheel substantially identical to the radius of the spherical face on the friction drive wheel.

An object of the invention is to provide hand controls capable of operating the entire vehicle for persons not having the use of their legs.

An object of the invention is to provide single means capable of disassociating the ground wheel from the drive wheel and capable of varying the driving ratio between the ground wheel and the drive wheel.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent by reference to the following description of a small automotive vehicle embodying the invention in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a side elevational view of a vehicle embodying the invention showing a seat arrangement in dotted lines and the spherical drive wheel contacting the ground wheel.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of a vehicle as seen in Fi 1.

Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of the vehicle as seen in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a side cross-sectional view, partly in elevation, of the spherically faced friction drive wheel and associated parts.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged side elevational vie of the rear portion of the vehicle showing the elements of the vehicle in greater detail with the driving wheel and driven Wheel shown in noncontacting relation to one another.

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the supporting structure and of the operating linkage taken on the line 68 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged top plan view of the rear portion of the operating linkage taken on the line.

'!1 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is a rear elevational diagrammatic view of the driving wheel and driven wheel in neutral position. a

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8 showing the driving wheel in forward driving relation to the driven wheel.

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 8 showing the driving wheel in reversing relation to the driven wheel.

Fig. 11 is a bottom plan view of the motor mounting taken on the line ll-H of Fig. 5; and

Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view of Figs. 5 or 11 taken on the line I 2l 2 thereof.

Referring now to the drawing wherein like numerals refer to like and corresponding parts throughout the several views, the vehicle disclosed therein to illustrate the invention comprises a T-shaped frame, front steering and supporting wheels at either end of the frame cross member, a stabilized rear wheel, a friction wheel bearing on the rear wheel normally supporting the rear end of the vehicle and powering the rear Wheel; means for varying the ratio and direction of drive between the friction wheel and the rear wheel, and means for supporting the rear end of the vehicle on the rear wheel independently of the friction wheel.

More particularly, Figs. 1 to 3, the inventive vehicle comprises a longitudinal frame member 20, a transverse frame member 2| at its forwardend, steering forks 23 bearinged in the journals 22, nuts 24 securing the forks 23 in the journals 22, front ground wheels 25 rotatably mounted in the forks 23 supporting the forward end of the vehicle, steering arms 25 secured to the wheel forks 23 by the nuts- 24, a tie rod 2! connecting the steering arms 26, and a steering hand lever 28 bolted to one of the steering arms 26 adapted to steeringwise control both'the wheels 25 via the tie rod 27.

A vertical support member 3 9 is welded to the longitudinal frame member 2a at a point spaced from the rear end of the member 29 and a triangulating support member 3| is welded at its forward end to the longitudinal frame member in its central area and welded at a point spaced from the upper end of the member 3! to the upper end of the vertical support member 36. A support sleeve 32 having an aperture 39, Fig. 4, in its sidewall is pivotally mounted on the projecting end of the support member 3 I a friction wheel sleeve 33 is welded at its upper end to the support sleeve 32, and a spherically faced friction drive wheel 34 is freely rotatably bearinged in the friction Wheel sleeve 33. r

A rear wheel fork journal 35 is welded on the rear end of the longitudinal frame member 25 with a rear wheel stabilizing fork 31 bearinged in the journal 36, and a rear wheel 38 is rotatably mounted on the fork 31 adapted to normally support the rear end of the vehicle via the friction wheel 34, the sleeve 33, the sleeve 32, and the projecting end of the support member 3! under certain conditions as hereinafter more fully explained. A motor support 40 is bolted to the sleeve 33, a motor 4! is 'mounted'on the support it. a small pulley 42 is connected to the motor M, a large pulley 43' is connected to the friction wheel 34, and a belt r4 drivinglyconnects the pulleys 62 and-t3.

A rear wheel fork lever 45, Figs. 2, 5, and '7, is connected to the rear wheel fork 3?, a drag link 46 is pivotally connectedto the end of the rear fork lever 45, a toggle link bracket M is welded to the longitudinal frame member 28, a toggle link 48 is pivotally mounted on the bracket 4? atone end and pivotally connected to the end of the drag link 46 at its other end, a roller 4972s disposed between the drag link 46 and the toggle link 48, a'plate bears against the roller 49 and is adapted to move longitudinally of the vehicle to cause the toggle. link 48 to elevate the drag link 45 to lift'the'le'ver S5 and the rear end of the vehicle relative to the rear wheel 38 as hereinafter more fully explained.

Control 'rodfront'. bracket 52 is bolted to the longitudinal frame member 26, a control rod front slide pin 53 is welded to the bracket 52 projecting rearwardly, a control rod front bearing 56 is; slidably -and rotatably associatedwith thapin 53. a

control rod rear journal 55 is welded to the ver tical support member 39, and a control rod 56 is mounted on the control rod front bearing 54 and slidably and rotatably bearinged in the control rod rear journal 55 supporting the toggle activating plate 5| which is welded thereon and having an opening 51 in its side wall adjacent the front bearing 54 and pin 53.

levis 58 is welded to the control rod 56 adjacent the opening 51, a control rod hand lever 59 is pivotally mounted and fulcrumed at 68 to the clevis 58, a ball-end BI is located on the control rod hand lever 59 bearing against the end of the pin 53, a control rod stationary brake bracket 62 is bolted to the longitudinal frame member 26, a control rod stationary brake element 63 freely surrounds the control rod 58 mounted on the bracket 62, a control rod movable brake element 64 surrounds the control, rod 55 and is Welded thereto, a control rod spring 65 is under compression surrounding the control rod 56 positioned between the tog le activating plate 5% and the 5 control rod rear journal 55 hearing against the rear journal 55 to urge the control rod 55 and hand lever 59 forwardly in the vehicle as shown by the solid lines of Fig. 1 and the dotted lines of Fig. 5 as hereinafter more fully explained.

Control rod arm 66 is keyed to the rear end of the control rod 56, a nut-69 secures the leverfit on the control rod 55, Fig. '7, a support sleeve arm 67 is welded to the support sleeve 32; a connecting rod 68 links the control rod arm 66 and the support sleeve arm t5] transmitting rotational movement of the control rod 56 to thesuppor't sleeve 32 forvarying the relation between the spherically faced friction'wheel 34 and the rear ground wheel 38 as hereinafter; more fully eXf-f plained. A projecting end or stub 79 on-the cross support member 3|, Fig. 4, carries'a stub inner bearing H welded to the stub 10, a support sleeve inner bearing 12' is secured tothe support'sleeve 32 riding on the stub inner bearing 7!, a support sleeve outer bearing 73 is secured to the'support sleeve 32, a stub outer bearing '74 is inserted between the stub Filan'd'th e sup-port sleeve outer bearing 13 for freely supporting the bearing 13, a washer 15' surrounds the stub"!!! abutting the:

bearing M, a nut 16 abuts the washer 75 and is locked in position by suitable means, an upper annular spacer 83 is fixedly disposedwithin the friction wheel sleeve 33; abutting" the support sleeve 32, and a lowe'r'annular spacer 8| fixedly disposed within the friction whe elsleeve 33.

Fixed intermediate sleeve 82 is disposed within the friction wheel sleeve 33 abutting the suppjort sleeve 32 mounted on the spacers 8t and 81 a freely rotatably disposed'inner sleeve 83 is dis posed within the intermediate sleeve 82 opposite the aperture 39 in support sleeve 32, anti-fric tion ball bearings 84 are disposed between and supporting the inner sleeve 83 relative to the intermediate sleeve 82, a'shaft 85 is fixedly dis posed within'the inner sleeve 83 and projects downwardly therefrom adapted to rotate therewith. An axial hub tfi on the spherically-faced friction drive-wheel 34 is keyed to the projecting end of the shaft 85 by a key Bl, a pulley hub '83" is disposed on the shaft 85abutting the axial' friction wheel hub Stand is keyed to thesha ft 85 by a key 89 with the'pulley hub 88'abuttin g the lower end of :the inner sleeve 83; a washer 90 surrounds the'threaded upper end of the shaft ed on the upper end of the shaft 85 and is locked 5, by suitable means tightened against the snap ring 9|, adjacent the other endof the shaft 85 pressing the inner sleeve 83, the pulley hub 88, and the axial friction wheel hub 86 therebetween locking them securely together to providelateral support for the shaft v85 against lateral,

thrusts and forces exerted on the spherically faced friction drive wheel 34.

Axial chamber 19 is located in'the spherical face of the friction wheel 34 interrupting the face contour of the friction wheel 34 and a freely bearinged or floating plug I I2 is disposed in the chamber I9 substantially continuing the spherical face of the friction 'wheel34 over the area of its interruption by the chamber I9 while bearing races 93 secured to theend of the shaft 85 and bearing races 94 secured to the hub 11 of plug 2 equipped with ball bearings 18 support the plug I I2 relative to the shaft 85 so that said plug is, freely rotatably associated relative to the spherically faced friction wheel 34.

Motor 4| is mounted on the friction wheel sleeve 33 by the support 40, Figs. 4, 5, 11, and 12, which comprises a strip of heavy metal reversely folded upon itself having an aperture 95 therein for surrounding the friction wheel sleeve 33 and a slot 96 interrupting the bend 91. A bolt 98 fits in the channel 99 formed by the bend 91 nesting between the friction wheel sleeve 33 and the bend 91 while a nut I threaded on the bolt 99 compress the edges of the support defining the aperture 95 againstthe friction wheel sleeve 33 as permitted by the slot 96 thereby firmly securing the support 40 to the friction wheel sleeve 33. Spacers IOI located between the support 40 dual members I02 and I03, Fig. 5, separate the members I02 and I03 while bolts I04 threaded in the housing I05 of the motor 4| through the spacers |0| support the motor 4| securely and'flexibly on the friction wheel sleeve 33 and in such manner to dampen the vibration of the motor 4|. A hand throttle lever I04 is mounted on the hand steering lever 28, and a mechanical cable vI05 leading from the throttle lever I04 to the motor 4| facilitating'operator control of fuel supply to the motor 4|.

The wheels 25 mounted on the front wheel forks 23 support the front end of the vehicle. The steering hand lever 28, the control rod hand lever 59 and, the throttle lever I04 are located in the front portion of the vehicle just ahead of the seat A shown in dotted lines on Figure 1, so that a person sitting on a seat can readily operate the vehicle. The control rod 56 closely parallels the longitudinal frame member 20 centrallyof the vehicle and is adapted to lie between the persons sitting on the seat A.

The rear end of the vehicle is normally supported on the rear wheel 38 via the vertical support 30, the triangulated support 3|, the cantilevered stub on the support 3|, the support sleeve 32, the friction wheel sleeve 33, the shaft 85, and the spherically faced friction wheel 34? the friction wheel 34 rests on the rear wheel 38 adjacent the top of the rear wheel 38 supporting the rear end of the vehicle viathe named associated elements. The rear wheel fork 31 is normally freely bearinged in the horizontal rear I Thesupport sleeve 32 is adapted to pivot on thestub 10 to vary the spherically faced friction drive wheel 34 relative to the rear wheel 30 facilitating contacting the rear wheel 38 with the center. of the drive wheel 34, Figure 8, or at a point spaced from the center of the friction wheel 34 on either side of the friction wheel34, Figures 9 and 10, to effect forward and reverse powering of the rear wheel 38. The radius of the spherically faced friction drive wheel 34 is preferably the same as the radius upon which the friction drive wheel 34 pivots relative to the stub 10, so that the relation of the spherical face of the friction wheel 34 to the rear wheel 38 remains the same regardless of the point on the friction wheel 34 in contact with the rear wheel 38.

The rear end of the vehicle is optionally supported on the rear wheel 38 via the rear wheel fork 37, the integral rear wheel fork lever 48,

the drag link 46, the toggle link 48, the toggle link activating plate 5|, the control rod 56, the control rod pin 53, when the control rod hand lever 59 is moved backwardly from the position shown in Figure 1 and indicated by dotted lines in Figure 5, to the position shown in solid lines in Figure 5, so that the ball end 6| of the control rod hand lever 59 is thrust against the control rod pin 53 driving the control rod 56 rearwardly in the vehicle via the clevis58, moving the toggle plate 5| rearwardly against the roller 49 causing the roller to rise on the plate 5| as the toggle link swings upwardly, thereby elevating the drag link 45 which lifts the end of the rear wheel fork integral lever 45 pivoting the rear wheel fork 31 in the rear wheel horizontal journal 36 placing a downward thrust on the rear wheel 38 via the rear wheel fork 31 thereby placing an upward thrust at the rear wheel fork journal 36 which is the fulcrum point for the rear wheel fork lever 45 thereby lifting and supporting the rear end of the vehicle on the rear wheel 38 via the rear wheel fork 31. The upward thrust on the rear end of the vehicle causes the rear end of the, ve-

hicle to rise relative to the rear wheel 38 lifting the spherically faced friction drive wheel 34 out of contact and supporting relation with the rear wheel 38.

Lifting the spherically faced friction drive wheel 34 off the rear wheel 38 facilitates traversing the friction wheel 34 relative to the rear wheel 30 via the support sleeve 32, the support sleeve arm 61, the connecting rod 68, the control rod arm 66, the control rod 56, and the control rod hand lever 59 due to the fact that when the control rod hand lever 59 is manually drawn back, as indicated by the solid lines of Figure 5, the control rod brakes 63 and 64 are disassociated permitting rotational movement of the control rod 56, so that the operator can move the control rod hand lever 59 to the right or left, thereby rotating the controlrod 56 about the control rod front pin 53 and Within the control rod rear journal 55 thereby swinging the control rod arm 66 so that the arm 66 swings the support sleeve arm 61 via the connecting rod 68 to pivot the support sleeve 32 on the support stub 10 so that the support sleeve 32 swings the friction wheel sleeve 33 causing the spherically faced friction drive wheel 34 to traverse either to the right or left relative to the rear wheel 38. It will be noted that when the control rod hand lever 59 is in its forward position as indicated by the solid lines of Figure 1, the control rod spring has driven the control rod 56 forwardly in the vehicle, carrying the brake 64into contact with the brake 63 enabling meat against rotational movement; The brake 53, is;

mounted on th'elongiitudinal frame member 2 via I lll'supports the weight: of the rear end of the vehicleon the rear wheel 38', and, as it is resting on dead center; the plug H12 cannot rotate irrespectiveofthe fact. that it is freely disposed onv theshaft85', and the plug H 2, therefore, frictionally engages the rear wheel 38 locking therear wheel 38 against rotation thereby braking the vehicle. However, in this condition, thespherically faced friction wheel 34 is free to rotate with the shaft 85' relative to the friction wheel sleeve 33 and the floating. plug .112, providing a neutral position for the friction wheel 34 relative to the rear wheel 38. In this neutral position of the elements ofthe vehicle drive, the motor 4| can be started and'run powering the friction drive wheel without transmitting drive to the rear wheel 38" as the friction drive wheel 34 freely turns about the plug H2 I A neutral coasting or'free-wheeling condition exists in the vehicle when the freely rotatably disposed plug H 2 is positioned relative to the rear wheel 34 at a point on the plug i I! off the center of the plug] I2 relative to the rear wheel 38'. In

this condition, the plug I I2 supports-the weight of the rear end of the vehicleon the'rear wheel 38 and the rear wheel- 38' is'f-ree to rotate-as the plug I IZ-is free'to rotate. Obviouslyth'e motor 4| and friction drive Wheel can be running and. turning respectivelyor stationary as desired as: the: friction drive wheel at is notin contact with the rear wheel 38.

A forward drive condition exists in thevehicle when the direction of rotation of the spherically faced friction wheel134 is in the .direction'inidicated' by the arrow in the-various figures,,particu'-- larly Fig. 9,, when the friction wheel 3-4 is tr'a-v-r and, if therear wheel 38 is contactedby the friction wheel '34 adjacent the plug 1H2, a; low; ratio driving relation developing high torque and. low speed exists betweenthe friction" wheel 34 and. the rear Wheel 38.. If the reanwheel. 38is. contact ed by the friction wheel adjacent itsouter.

periphery, a high ratio. driving. relation exists between-the friction wheel 34 and" the rear wheel 38 developing low torqueand high speed.

A reverse drive condition exists in the vehicle when the direction of rotationofthespherically faced friction drive wheel34 is in the direction, indicated by the arrow in, the various figures; particularly Fig. 10, and when the frictionwheel 34 is traversed to the left relativeto the-rear wheel 38-so that the friction wheel. 34 drivesthe topof therear wheel 3a rear wardly and the bot. tomof the rear Wheel; 38; forwardly relative to the vehicle thereby imparting rearward motion to the 8 vehicle; In this conditiom thefriction wheel 34' supports'the .rear end of the. vehicle on the rear wheel 38- with the torque and speed ratios being the same as in forward drive. Obviously if the direction of rotation of the sphericallyfaced friction wheel 34 is opposite to the arrow indicated direction of the friction wheel 34, the traversing of the friction wheel 34 relative tothe rear wheel 38 is also opposite to thatv described above. It can readily be seen that the transmitting of power between the friction wheel 34 and the rear wheel 38f is infinitely variable as the friction wheel 34 can be'mad'e as large asdesired and can contact the rear wheel 38' at any point on the friction wheel 34 between its center and its outer edge.

The. rear wheel 38 and the spherically faced friction driving wheel'3'4 are controlled and operated by the driver in. relation to'each other and to the rear end of the vehicle throughthe medium of the control rod 56' and its associated mechanism. The control rod 56 isIongitudinally slidably and'axially pivotally mounted in the vehicle enabling the control rod to perform simultaneously or separately'two individual mechanical functions in conjunction with. the control rod hand lever 59 which enables the driver. to pivot the control rod 56 and/ or'slide' the control rod 53 rearwardly in the vehicle. The spring is adapted. to automatically return the control rod 56' forwardly in the vehicle and the. brakes 63 and 6.4 are adapted to preventv pivoting of the control rod 55 when theyare engaged.

Pivoting motion of the control rod 56 is transmitted via the control rod arm 56 in conjunction with the support sleeve 6! and the connecting rod 58 to the support sleeve32to traverse the spheri-' cally faced friction drive wheel 34 mounted on the support sleeve 32 relative to the rear wheel 33 as indicated in Figs; 9 and 10. Sliding motion of the control rod 55 is transmitted via the control rod toggle activating plate 5|, the toggle link 48, thedrag link 35, the rear Wheel fork lever 45, and the-rear wheelforl; 31 to lift the rear'end of the vehicle relative to the rear wheel 38 whereby supporting the rear end of the vehicle on the rear wheel 38 via the rear wheel forl i 31 and thereby lifting the spherically faced friction drive wheel out of supportingrelation to the rear end of the vehicle on the rear wheel38 and clear of" contact with the rear wheel 38; Obviously lifting the friction wheel-34' clear of contact with therear wheel. 38 facilitates traversing the-friction drive 34 relative to ther'earwheel to effect graduated'forward and-reverse drive;

In driving and opera-ting the vehicle. the driver positions the freely floatingv plug! H2: centrally on the rear wheel 38 thereby braking the vehicle and. placing. the spherically faced friction drive wheel .34 in neutral'relation' to the rear wheel 38 and then starts the motor" 4| so that the friction drive wheel 34 is powered and rotates in the. direction: indicatedby the arrow in the drawings. The driver then pulls rearwardly on the control rod hand lever 53 abutting the; bailed end 6| thereof against the end of the pivot and slide pin 53 fulcruming the hand lever 59 at its pivot point 38'; atlthe. clevis'58 attached to'the control rod 55 driving the control rod 56 rearwardly in the vehicle against the control rod return spring 65, disassociating the controlrodrotation preventingbrakes 63 and 54, moving. the toggle activatingplate. 5i rearvvardly against the toggle roller 49 causing the roller 49 to rise on-theplate 5|- thereby activating the toggle linli 48. to elevate the drag link 43 which in turn lifts the rear wheel fork integral lever 45 causing the rear wheel integral fork lever 45 and the rear wheel fork to pivot at the fulcrum supplied by the rear wheel fork horizontal journal 36 placing a downward thrust on the immovable grounded rear wheel 38 and an upward thrust on the movable rear wheel fork journal 36 moving the rear wheel fork journal 36 and the rear end of the vehicle upwardly supported on the rear wheel 38 via the rear wheel fork 3'! and lifting the spherically faced friction drive wheel 34 out of supporting relation and contact with the rear wheel 33. To effect forward drive of the vehicle, the driver then moves the control rod hand lever 53 sidewise to the left turning the control rod clevis 58 and the control rod 55 to the left thereby turning the control rod arm 86 downwardly pulling the connection rod 68 downwardly and pulling the support sleeve arm 51 downwardly to rotate the support sleeve 32 to the left thereby traversing r the spherically faced friction drive wheel 34 to the right relative to the rear wheel 33 to position the driving surface of the friction wheel 34 over the rear Wheel 38. The driver then allows the control rod hand lever 58 to move forwardly under the leverage of the traversed friction wheel 34 and motor 4!, the pressure of the toggle 48 against the toggle plate 5|, and the drive of the control rod spring 65 so that the friction drive wheel 34 is lowered into driving contact with and supporting relation on the rear wheel 38 with the brakes 63 and 64 engaging to secure the control rod and associated linkage, particularly the fricver 59 farther to the left thereby traversing the friction wheel 34 farther to the right relative to the rear wheel 38 with the friction wheel 34 riding up the rear wheel 38 to a point on the friction wheel 34 adjacent its outermost edge. The driver then allows the control rod hand lever 59 to move forwardly to engage the brakes 63 and 54 so that the adjusted position is secured. 0bviously the spherically faced friction wheel 34 can be "riden off the free floating center plug 1 l2 onto the driving surface of the friction wheel 34 to initiate forward drive. It is also obvious that to drive the vehicle rearwardly, the control rod hand lever 59 is turned to the right to traverse the friction wheel 34 to the left relative to the rear wheel 38. The trottle lever IE4 is manipulated as the usual vehicle accelerator pedal.

To decrease vehicle speed the linkage is operated in a manner reversely to the above described manner of increasing vehicle speed. To free wheel the moving vehicle the operator positions the free-floating plug H2 on the rear wheel adjacent its outermost edge, so that the rear wheel 38 and the free-floating plug I [2 move freely and independently of the drive wheel 34 and the drive wheel moves or remains static relative to the rear wheel 38 and free-floating plug H2. To brake the vehicle, the driver positions the plug H2 on dead center on the rear wheel 38 so that the free-floating plug H2 is incapable of rotation providing a stationary brake relative to the rear wheel 38.

The general proportions and relationship of the various elements of the inventive vehicle indicated in the drawing and described herein are desirable to the proper functioning of the invention. Although the invention has been described as a vehicle, obviously the elements of the invention may be used for non-vehicular variable transmission of power.

While hand operating controls have been shown and described throughout to illustrate that the vehicle can easily be operated by a person deprived of the use of his legs, it is obvious that foot operating controls can be adapted to the control rod and associated parts or to the separate parts.

While the member 37 has been referred to throughout the specification'as a wheel fork, it is to be understood that any pivotally mounted support member is usable instead of a fork to accomplish the purpose of the member 31 such as a brace or support.

Although but a single embodiment of the in vention has been disclosed and described in detail, it is obvious that many changes may be made in the size, shape, detail, and arrangements of the elements of the invention within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

LA mounting for a friction drive wheel comprising a pivotally mounted support to facilitate oscillating the drive wheel relative to a driven wheel, a housing welded to said support at an angle thereto, a freely bearinged sleeve disposed in said housing, a shaft secured to said sleeve, a pulley keyed to said shaft abutting said sleeve, and a friction drive wheel abutting said pulley keyed to said shaft; said sleeve, shaft, pulley and friction drive wheel being adapted to freely rotate relative to said housing.

2. In a device as set forth in claim 1, a bracket extending from said housing, a motor mounted on said bracket adapted to oscillate with said housing when said housing oscillates and a belt drivingly connecting said motor pulley with said shaft pulley for transmitting drive between said motor and said friction drive member.

3. A vehicle comprising a chassis, a wheel fork pivotally mounted adjacent to the end of said chassis for free up and down movement, a wheel rotatably mounted on said fork, supports on said chassis extending upwardly from said chassis over said wheel, a friction drive wheel swingably disposed on said supports adapted to bear on said wheel to support the end of said chassis adjacent said wheel, a lever extending from said fork, and means associated with said lever to pivot said fork relative to said chassis to disassociate said friction drive wheel and said wheel and to support the end of said chassis adjacent said wheel on said wheel via said fork.

4. A vehicle comprising a chassis, a wheel fork pivotally mounted adjacent to the end of said chassis for free up and down movement but longitudinally and laterally supported, a wheel rotatably mounted on said fork, supports on said chassis extending upwardly from said chassis adjacent said wheel,'a friction drive wheel disposed on said supports adapted to bear on said wheel to support the end of said chassis adjacent said wheel, a lever extending from said fork, a drag link connected to the endof said lever, a toggle link connected to the end of said drag link and pivotally mounted onsaid chassis, and a confl trol rod adapted to activate said toggle link to lift said drag link to operate said lever to move said friction drive member out of vehicle supporting relationship on said wheel.

5. A vehicle comprising a chassis, a wheel support pivotally disposed relative to one end of said chassis for up and down movement, a wheel rotatably disposed relative to said support, a superstructure on said chassis, a member pivotally disposed on said superstructure, a friction drive wheel rotatably mounted on said member adapted to bear on said wheel in driving relation thereto and to support the end of said chassis adjacent said wheel by bearing on said wheel, a control torque rod, an arm extending from said torque rod, an arm on said member, a connecting rod between said arms, and a hand lever on said control rod adapted to pivot said rod to activate said arms to pivot said member to traverse said friction drive wheel relative to said wheel to change the driving ratio therebetween and to effect forward and reverse drive therebetween.

6. A vehicle comprising a chassis, a wheel support member pivoted for free up and down movement adjacent one end of said chassis, a wheel mounted on said support for free rotation relative thereto, a superstructure mounted on said chassis, a member mounted on said superstructure for free oscillating movement relative thereto, a friction drive member mounted on said oscillating member for free relative rotation relative thereto and adapted to bear on said wheel to support the end of said chassis adjacent to said wheel, an arm on said oscillating member, a slidable and rotatable control rod mounted on said chassis, an arm mounted on said control rod, a connecting rod between said arms, a lever extension on said wheel support, a drag link connected to the end of said wheel support lever, a

toggle link .pivotally mounted on said chassis connected to said drag link, a face plate on said control rod adapted to move said toggle link, a combination pivot and bearing point adjacent the forward end of said control rod, a hand lever fulcrumed on said rod adapted to contact said bearing point; said hand lever being adapted to move said rod rearwardly to carry said face plate rear- Wardly against said toggle link to cause said toggle link to move said drag link to operate said wheel support lever to lift said chassis adjacent said a wheel relative to said wheel and to lift said friction drive member out of supporting relation to said wheel; said hand control rod lever being capable of pivoting said rod to operate said arms to oscillate said oscillatable member to traverse said friction drive wheel relative to said wheel to effect variable forwardand rearward driving relation between said friction drive wheel and said wheel. I

7. In a power and transmission unit, a support member, a support sleeve pivotally 'mounted on said support member, a friction wheel sleeve secured to said support sleeve adapted to traverse in an are when said support sleeve pivots, a shaft disposed insaid friction wheel sleeve, a friction wheel disposed on said shaft having a spherical face struck substantially on a radius from thepivot center of said support sleeve, a wheel positioned relative to said support member and relative to said friction wheel in friction contact with said friction wheelso as to be driven thereby and so that pivoting said support-sleeve traverses said friction wheel sleeve and said friction wheel relative to said wheel to effect graduated forward and reverse speeds.

8. In a power and transmission unit, a support member, a support sleeve pivotally mounted on said support member, a friction wheel sleeve secured to said support sleeve adapted to traverse in an are when said support sleeve pivots, a shaft disposed in said friction wheel sleeve, a friction wheel disposed on said shaft having a spherical face struck substantially on a radius from the pivot center of said support sleeve, a wheel positioned relative to said support member and relative to said friction wheel in friction contact with said friction wheel so as to be driven thereby and so that pivoting said support sleeve traverses said friction wheel sleeve and said friction wheel relative to said wheel to effect graduated forward and reverse speeds; said spherically faced friction wheel having an axial cavity; and a freely rotatable plug in said cavity axially aligned with said friction wheel providing a brake relative to said wheel when centrally positioned thereon and a free-wheeling unit when positioned off center thereon.

9. In a power and transmission unit, a support member, a support sleeve pivotally mounted on said support member, a friction wheel sleeve secured to said support sleeve adapted to traverse in an are when said support sleeve pivots, a shaft disposed in said friction wheel sleeve, a friction wheel disposed on said shaft having a spherical face struck substantially on a radius from the pivot center of said support sleeve,-a wheel positione relative to said support member and relative to said friction wheel in friction contact with said friction wheel so as to be driven thereby and so that pivoting said support sleeve traverses said friction wheel sleeve and said friction wheel relative to said wheel to effect graduated forward and reverse speed; said spherically faced friction wheel having an axial cavity; a freely rotatable plug in said cavity axially aligned with said friction wheel providing a brake relative to said wheel when centrally positioned thereon and a free-wheeling unit when positioned off center thereon, and means for traversing said spherical ly faced friction wheel relative to said wheel.

10. A vehicle, support, power, and transmission unit comprising a vehicle chassis, a horizontally hinged wheel brace on said chassis, a wheel disposed on said wheel brace, a support on said chassis, a support sleeve pivotally mounted on said support, a friction wheel sleeve secured to said support sleeve adapted to traverse in an are when said support sleeve pivots, a shaft dispose in said friction wheel sleeve, and a spherically faced friction Wheel disposed on said shaft; the radius of the face of said friction wheel being substantially equal to the radius upon which said friction wheel traverses with said friction wheel sleeve on said support sleeve; said friction wheel being adapted to contact and bear upon said wheel to support said chassis adjacent said wheel and said hinged wheel brace.

ll. A vehicle, support, power, and transmission unit comprising a vehicle chassis, a horizontally hinged wheel brace on said chassis, a wheel disposed on said wheel brace, a support on said chassis, a support sleeve pivotally mounted on said support, a friction wheel sleeve secured to said support sleeve adapted to traverse in an are when said support sleeve pivots, a shaft disposed in said friction wheel sleeve, a spherically faced friction wheel diposed on said shaft; the radius of the face of said friction wheel being substantially equal to the radius upon which said friction wheel traverses with said friction wheel sleeve on said support sleeve; said friction wheel being adapted to contact and bear upon said wheel to support said chassis adjacent said wheel and said hinged wheel brace; a lever on said hinged wheel brace, and means capable of activating said lever to place a downward thrust on said wheel and an upward thrust on said chassis via said hinged wheel brace, respectively to support said chassis adjacent said wheel on said wheel via said hinged wheel brace to support said chassis adjacent said wheel on said wheel via said brace and respectively to lift said spherically faced friction drive wheel out of contact with said wheel to facilitate traversing said friction wheel relative to said wheel.

12. A vehicle, support, power, and transmission unit comprising a vehicle chassis, a horizontally hinged wheel brace on said chassis, a wheel disposed on said wheel brace, a support on said chassis, a support sleeve pivotally mounted on said support, a friction wheel sleeve secured to said support sleeve adapted to traverse in an are when said support sleeve pivots, a shaft disposed in said friction wheel sleeve, a spherically faced friction wheel disposed on said shaft; the radius of the face of said friction wheel being substantially equal to the radius upon which said friction wheel traverses with said friction wheel sleeve on said support sleeve; said friction wheel being adapted to contact and bear upon said wheel to support said chassis adjacent said wheel and said hinged wheel brace; a lever on said hinged wheel brace, means capable of activating said lever to place a downward thrust on said wheel and an upward thrust on said chassis. via said hinged wheel brace, respectively to support said chassis adjacent said wheel on said wheel via said brace and respectively to lift said spherically faced friction drive wheel out of contact with said wheel to facilitate traversing said friction wheel relative to said wheel and means, for traversing said friction wheel relative to said wheel.

13. A vehicle, support, power, and transmission unit comprising a vehicle chassis, a horizontally hinged wheel brace on said chassis, a wheel disposed on said wheel brace, a support on said chassis, a support sleeve pivotally mounted on said support, a friction wheel sleeve secured to said support sleeve adapted to traverse in an are when said support sleeve pivots, a shaft disposed in said friction wheel sleeve, a spherically faced friction wheel disposed on said shaft; said friction wheel being adapted to contact and bear upon said wheel to support said chassis adjacent said wheel and said hinged wheel brace, a lever on said hinged wheel brace, a drag link on said lever, a toggle link adapted to lower and raise said drag link, a plate adapted to activate said toggle link, a control rod adapted to move said plate to activate said toggle link whereby said toggle link is able to lower and raise said lever via said drag link to release or place a downward thrust on said wheel and an upward thrust on said chassis via said hinged wheel brace, respectively to support said chassis adjacent said wheel on said Wheel via said brace and respectively to lift said spherically faced friction drive wheel out of chassis supporting and friction contact with said wheel to facilitate traversing said friction wheel relative to said wheel.

14. A vehicle, support, power, and transmission unit comprising a vehicle chassis, a horizontally hinged wheel brace on said chassis, a wheel disposed on said wheel brace, a support on said chassis, a support sleeve pivotally mounted on said support, a friction wheel sleeve secured to said support sleeve adapted to traverse in an are when said support sleeve pivots, a shaft disposed in said friction wheel sleeve, a spherically faced friction Wheel disposed on said shaft; said friction wheel being adapted to contact and bear upon said wheel to support said chassis adjacent said wheel and said hinged wheel brace, a lever on said hinged wheel brace, a drag link on said lever, a toggle link adapted to lower and raise said drag link, a plate adapted to activate said toggle link, a control rod adapted to move said plate to activate said toggle link whereby said toggle link is able to lower and raise said lever via said drag link to release or place a downward thrust on said wheel and an upward thrust on said chassis via said hinged wheel brace, respectively to support said chassis adjacent said wheel on said wheel via said brace and respectively to lift said spherically faced friction drive wheel out of chassis supporting and friction contact with said wheel to facilitate traversing said friction wheel relative to said wheel; an arm on said control rod, an arm on said support sleeve, and a connecting rod between said arms; said control rod being adapted to pivot to move said control rod arm, said connecting rod, and said support sleeve arm to pivot said support sleeve to traverse said friction wheel relative to said wheel.

LEO J. WUBBE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 768,114 Dean Aug. 23, 1904 889,679 Hatfield June 2, 1908 910,768 Anderson Jan. 26, 909

1,122,341 Welch et al Dec. 29, 1914 1,181,218 Fullerton May 2, 1916 1,394,328 Miller Oct. 18, 1921 1,478,966 Lanchester Dec. 25, 1923 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 8,304 Great Britain Nov. 26, 1908 166,017 Great Britain July 14, 1921 

